Paris1972-Versailles2003

This is probably one of my shortest post but the most exciting in my road warrior trails. This, this is going over the Port de Pourtalet mountain from France to Spain! And we love it!!!!  Updating my text of August 2016; hope you enjoy it as I do! Brings back many family memories going over these mountains over the years first with wife , then boys and then parents and family! Therefore, let me tell you about the Col du Pourtalet mountain to Spain !!! Hope you enjoy it as I

We got up earlier from hotel in Bordeaux , (see post) and by about 7h or 7am we were on the road past the beltway of Bordeaux A630 into the expressway A62 towards Pau/Toulouse.  We continue connecting with the A64 road to Pau and then the A65 , connecting on the N134 by Jurançon and Gan, where we got on the D934  all the way past Laruns and to the Col du Pourtalet passage to Spain.

The Col du Pourtalet pass is a border crossing between France passing by the town of Laruns and Spain, between the Ossau valley and the Tena valley.  Located at an altitude of 1,794 meters, it overlooks the Cirque d’Aneou and offers a magnificent view of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau. The Col du Pourtalet pass proves to be a starting point for various excursions in the surrounding mountains. Snow is regularly present there from the end of October to the end of May.  As we got up earlier we had breakfast on the road on the  mountains by Bielle on the D934 at boulangerie Laloubère , a small outlet they have right on the road and the back on the mountains; very nice and great breads, sweets, coffee and orange juice for 2,30 euros! per person. Their main store is at Bielle. And we have made it our must stop over the years afterward, by now a routine trip at Laloubére!!

You see beautiful mountain passages around the spa thermes of Eaux Chaudes, the quant nice town of Laruns, and the final destination in France at the Col du Pourtalet and the town at 1984 meters high. This is just before taking the tunnel under it to reach Spain at the other side , going up through some twisting and each time higher élévations and breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys not to mention a great challenge for the driver!! Love it !!!!

On the Spanish side, there are several stores that are call  ventas or sales outlet). Because of the difference between French and Spanish taxes, many French people come to get their supplies,oh yes and everywhere along the long frontier. The Col du Pourtalet pass was crossed only once by the Tour de France, in 1991, during the 13th stage between Jaca and Val-Louron. The Belgian Peter De Clercq won the stage.

You can do excellent skiing here at the Artouste station / Col du Pourtalet on the road D934 going to Spain. At Laruns ,you have spas , lake Artouste, and many other mountain activities which to me is reduce to going over by car! The Col du Pourtalet is indeed an outlet for Sallent-de-Gallego, Panticosa, Tramacastilla in Spain. The tourist office of Laruns offers, with the office of guides and mountain guides, several walks around the Col du Pourtalet. In the heart of the Pyrenees national park, just before arriving at the Col du Pourtalet, the Cirque d’Aneou marks the border with Spain!

There you go folks, a great final ride in France before reaching my beloved Spain, always nice to be back, and glad can do this often in the last few years.

The lake of Artouste feeding the dam info: https://www.lacsdespyrenees.com/lac-23-Lac%20d%E2%80%99Artouste.html

The Valley of Ossau tourist office on route passes : https://www.valleedossau.com/info-routes.html

The Valley of Ossau tourist office on access transports : https://www.valleedossau.com/acces-transports.html

The official Espace Pourtalet : https://www.espalet.eu/fr/

There you go folks,  short and sassy! Go ahead make the run, get the thrill of high mountain driving in pure air with breath taking views, sublime. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Col du Pourtalet mountain to Spain as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!